Opera for Newbies

[mamaraby]

I thought maybe this year I might introduce the kids to opera. I will admit to slightly selfish motives since I'd like to learn more about opera myself. The kids have had some exposure to Wagner through our composer studies.

 

However, this fall the local opera is doing a presentation of Carmen and I'm tempted to take the family and go. Up until that point, I thought we'd maybe focus on opera for our music appreciation studies in place of a specific composer (or composers). Obviously, I could focus on it from composers, but maybe an overview might be nice?

 

I guess I don't know exactly what's out there. I have done some Google searching and found a few ideas online, but thought maybe there might be some folks here with btdt ideas. I vaguely remember there being opera threads in the past, but search is currently failing me.

Edited July 24, 2017 by mamaraby

[eagleynne]

Are there any theaters near you that participate in the MetOperaHD program? If you've never heard of it, it's a program that livestreams operas from the Met in New York. Check out their website at metopera.org. They also have educator guides on the website, look under the "discover" section.

[Bluegoat]

Going to an opera is a great idea.  Live, at the movies, or there are some on Youtube.

 

I would tell the kids the outline of the story first, and maybe listen to a famous aria from it.  It's exciting when they recognize it later.

 

There is kind of a division of opinion around how "real" to be.  Some people are purists and won't accept anything with spoken lines as opera.  And some don't like special or shorter operas for kids.

 

I'm not that much of a purist, myself, I think kids can enjoy and handle "real" opera and other things as well.  And for smaller kids, a lot of full operas are just too long.

 

Anyway - The Magic Flute is often considered especially appropriate for kids, and there is a Met version on video that's been cut down a bit for length.  It's really a wonderful production.

 

Carmen is a classic, it does have some adult themes so some sensitive kids might find aspects a bit scary or hard to understand.  But, there is a nice bit with kids in it in the first part which could be fun to learn to sing at home.

[Violet Crown]

Check your local opera's website to see what resources they have for children. Ours allows kids to attend the final dress rehearsal, for instance.

 

Most people know this, but because some don't - operas are supertitled now, so you can easily follow the story. And the story is often secondary to the spectacle, so I always let my kids know it wasn't crucial to follow the plot.

[mamaraby]

Most people know this, but because some don't - operas are supertitled now, so you can easily follow the story. And the story is often secondary to the spectacle, so I always let my kids know it wasn't crucial to follow the plot.

I saw supertitles referenced on the opera company's website in regards to seating that couldn't view the supertitles. I wondered what that looked like. Where are they displayed and how does that even work?

[shawthorne44]

I saw supertitles referenced on the opera company's website in regards to seating that couldn't view the supertitles. I wondered what that looked like. Where are they displayed and how does that even work?

 

Usually in really really huge letters way high above the stage.  

[shawthorne44]

Anyone interested in this topic that lives anywhere near Dallas, you have to check out the kid's Operas that Dallas puts on.  The first one we saw, Mozart's "Bastien and Bastienne" had the audience enthralled and silent.  The median age was about 5.  Ponder that for a moment.  The kid's operas are all in English and have over the top costumes and acting that make the kids laugh.   They have craft tables setup beforehand in the lobby.  Three opera subscriptions are on sale for $4/opera.